Shh! Read Online Free Page B

you, tonight?”
    “I’ve gotta talk to you, too.”
    I pushed away, fished a handful of coins out of my purse and handed them to the driver as I climbed on the bus. There were a few people sitting up back, but mostly it was empty which suited me just fine. I slid into a vacant seat near the middle and rested my head against the window.
    I look terrible.
    Something smacked into the glass and I glanced outside where Savvy waved her arms around like an airport landing marshal. When she realised she’d caught my attention, she shook her head and pouted. Was that a no, she couldn’t talk tonight? The bus pulled away before I could figure out her wild gestures.
    I just about upended my purse searching for my compact, my mother’s voice admonishing me even when she wasn’t here; always look your best, Olivia. It doesn’t matter if you’re out to lunch with the queen or just lazing around the house. She’d hate to see me in jeans, not a skirt or dress pants. At least my hair was styled perfectly and not pulled up in a messy ponytail. Most of the contents of my bag rested on my lap and my fingers scraped the bottom lining. It wasn’t there. I shoved everything back in and took to staring out the window. No point wallowing over what I couldn’t change.
    We finally pulled up at my stop and I got off. My stomach rumbled like I hadn’t eaten in three days, which I kind of hadn’t. Not a proper meal anyway. There was enough money in my account that I could splurge on breakfast. That was an awesome idea. Bacon, eggs, sausages … I needed all of those and by the sound my stomach just made it sure seemed to agree.
    I headed into the mall. An almost empty cafe caught my attention. Privacy was just what I needed, so I waltzed in, eyeing off all four booths and less than a dozen rickety tables. No one I knew was about, so I pulled out a wooden seat just inside the door, placing my back to the mall and any passers-by. Laminated menus rested against the salt and pepper shakers. Grabbing one, I gave it a quick once over. Wow, those were some pretty steep prices. No doubt the reason this place wasn’t teeming with college kids like most other cafes in town.
    I scanned the menu more thoroughly. Pancake stack served with your choice of maple syrup and double cream or a fresh fruit compote.
    Hmm not bad.
    Fried bacon, mushrooms, tomato, hashbrown, eggs cooked to your liking. Served with two slices of deliciously thick toast.
    My mouth flooded. My tummy grumbled. The food called my name.
    “Well, if it isn’t Olivia Wants-To-Sit-Alone.”
    I flinched at the sound of Logan’s smooth voice. What the flip was he doing here? My hand hit my purse which scooted across the table, knocking over a jug of water that wasn’t there a moment ago. Liquid pooled on the wooden surface and seeped toward its edges. Shoving my chair back, I grabbed the only napkin in the otherwise empty holder and tried to soak up the mess. My fight was futile though—water cascaded down the sides of the table while Logan chuckled. He swept a cloth over the wooden surface, and soaked up my mess, yet bubbles of water remained on the shiny surface. I’d made such a mess even his towel sized cloth couldn’t absorb it all. What was wrong with me? Every time I was around this guy I turned into a clumsy fool.
    “I’m such a disaster,” I muttered as my cheeks began to burn.
    “Hey.” Logan’s large eyes captured mine. “It’s just a little water, no big deal.”
    Maybe it was a build up of the past few days, or maybe it was the tenderness in his voice, but for a split second I lost all my inhibitions, all sense of what was important and how I should behave. I slumped back into the chair and didn’t fight the painful lump in my throat or the burning behind my eyes.
    It was a big deal. Everything was a big deal.
    “Olivia …” Logan’s voice was soft, warm. “If you’re a disaster, then I’m a fucking tornado hot on the heels of a tsunami that was caused by